nurse diploma

i was wondering if getting a nurse diploma RN was worth it? i hear negitive things about the diploma program. I hear the pay is not much, you do not get to do alot of stuff that "regular" RNs do. What is all this comprtition about. Can someone give me some advice on the RN diploma.

I am a diploma trained nurse. I wouldn't trade the quality training I received for anything. The school I attended was small. I had 19 in my graduating class. You were able to get acquainted with your instructors and they with you. Our class developed into a family. The school I attended had such a good reputation that I went to my first interview (in a different city) with one of the assistant director of Nursing,and she told me I could write my own ticket. I could work in any department that I wanted. Sure there are some benifits to having a BSN, but I have yet to miss them. I work with AD nurses, other diploma nurses, and degree nurse. There is no distinguishable difference.

Hi,
I believe that becoming an RN via a diploma program has become less likely to open doors than getting a BSN. This is in no way reflection on the quality of the current nurses who received a diploma but rather a reflection of where the health care industry is moving. Diploma programs are often 3 years or longer in length and BSN is 4 years. Having a BSN degree opens many more doors.

Jun 27, '99

I have an ADN, diploma RN and I had no problem finding a job. It is an option to consider, you can always go on and get your BSN at a later date if you so desire. Where I work, its unionized, the pay is the same for ADN or BSN RN. Some places might say they prefer a BSN but with what appears to be a nursing shortage I really don't think you'd have a problem getting a job. If management's your thing, you can always get your BSN after graduating. I think it makes sense to consider the diploma program because you'll be out in the workforce sooner gaining experience and making money, and most employers will offer some benefits like tuition reimbursement if you go on. This is cost effective, since school is so expensive and most people leave college with as much as $10,000 or even $20,000 in student loans. So think about it.

Jun 27, '99

PS

By the way, I do exactly the same thing as any other nurse, whether BSN or ADN in my job. I've seen some BSN nurses who are more knowledgeable about nursing theories and some ADN nurses who have excellent technical skills. I work on an intermediate cardiac stepdown unit where we pull sheaths on angioplasty units, titrate drips, and even care for ventilator patients. In the hospital its your knowledge base and your technical skills that count, not your degree. Most hospitals offer education needed to perform the technical skills. We are all ACLS certified and 12-lead EKG certified.

The only place I think being ADN might be a limitation would be in management or insurance field. In those jobs the nurses with credentials of BSN or MSN are sought after. But like I said before, you can get your ADN, get experience, and get paid to go back to school by your employer and get your BSN if you so desire. I highly recommend it.

Jun 30, '99

I am a diploma grad from ND. Have been an RN for 30 years. At my institution, the only difference is a 35 cent add on for a degree. I found the actual bedside experience in the diploma program very beneficial for the types of nursing I have done over the years. Degree programs are necessary for new grads who want careers in management, however.

Jul 1, '99

Hi,
I think the point about getting an ADN and then considering getting a BSN has a lot of merit..it makes less sense to me to go for a diploma which takes around 3+ years. Besides going into management, a BSN is required in order to go for an MSN and becoming a nurse practitioner or a clinical nursing specialist. Also, many hospitals are now requiring a BSN for staff nurses who want to become case managers for specific patient populations..although it has the term manager in it, it is really a very clinically oriented role. I guess you should also consider your age and finances. If you are younger and have some financial support, go for a BSN. If you are out on your own, perhaps first getting a 2 year degree makes sense. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Jul 4, '99

I decided to become a nurse at age 13 and have never regretted that decision. I am originally a 3 year diploma graduate and worked for 6 years as a staff nurse. 8 years ago I wanted to change the direction of my career and it required that I go back to school for a BSN - which I completed part-time over 4 years - while working in an advanced practice role. It became very clear early on that my BSN RN, while opening MANY doors, was not enough. So, back to school I went for my MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I think I'm done with formal education, but I haven't completely ruled out a Doctorate in Nursing Science. So, why all the education? I love nursing and am SOOO excited about the opportunities in our profession. I love primary care, hospital nursing (bedside and advanced practice), and nursing research. I enjoy participating in the state and national nursing organizations, lecturing at conferences, and learning what nurses around the country are doing to promote the nursing profession. I support the push for nursing to have a single entry level degree - even though I believe that the best preparation for bedside nursing I received was in my diploma program. But, in reality, the delivery of healthcare continues to change and so must the profession of nursing. Nurses are required to have more management skills and will take a more supervisory role in the delivery of inpatient care in the future. Healthcare is primarily outpatient care and nurse practitioners and physician assistants are needed to help provide primary care in a timely manner. I would encourage anyone going into nursing to have as an ultimate goal the BSN degree. You will need it.

Jul 5, '99

It's like the above poster says it, ladies. Yes, the ADN gets you in the door, but allows for very, very limited advancement. Do your self a favor and get the BSN; save yourself the detour to get the BSN when you would like to be getting into graduate school (even though it was an enjoyable detour, it was expensive and time-consuming).
I, too, am a diploma nurse, BSN completion, MSN and would consider a Phd when my son gets a little older, but trust us, BSN is the best for level of entry in to practice.

Jul 11, '99

I graduated from a diploma in 95. I wouldn't trade my training for anything. The school I attended has switched to an ADN/BSN program. I recieved 3-4 times the clinical hours that the current program offers. I don't think you can beat clinical training. Everyone know that is where you really learn. Book learning is very important as well. I think sometime down the road it may be required to have your BSN.
I plan to return to school to get mine sometime in the future. The main thing I would like to point out is that you can be just as good of a nurse as a BSn student. A lot of it is up to you. Some of the worst nurses went through the best programs.
If I were to do it over again, I would look for a diploma program

Jul 12, '99

Sakeena,

I graduated from a BSN program - but I do have some insight into the ADN program. I chose the BSN program because that I knew that down the road, it would be hard for me personally to get back to school once I was working and raising my family. I also knew that in my home state, that there were changes coming that would make the ADN obsolete. The ANA has been lobbying for years to make the BSN degree the standard for professional nursing. Diploma schools are/or have disappeared. I know for a fact that governmental agencies in my home state mandate a BSN - older nurses were grandfathered if they earned their RN prior to a certain year [I don't remember what year it was]. I do know this because my mother is a nurse, and she fell into this catagory - she also worked for the state and then the federal government. That is why I am familiar with the regulations.

There are differences in the level of responsibilities that are given to nurses at various educational levels.

BSN's are educated in science, theory and management. Despite popular belief, we can become excellent floor nurses! [smile] And my belief is that one should know and experience what they preach, because they may find themselves wearing both hats at once. [This is more common than before]

ADN's spend the greater amount of their education on the floor working. This is a great opportunity to "hone" your skills". From what I have gleened for the literature, ADN programs have a higher drop-out rate than that of the BSN program. Probebly, because 3-4 yrs are being crammed into two. Often, it takes a year or so of preparation in anatomy, math, and chemistry, just to get into the programs. We ALL take the same NCLEX-RN test.

Managers aren't born, and experience helps. If you have ever worked with someone who rose to the rank of "manager" without management skills, you know what havoc that can cause!

In a climate of cost-cutting, nurses are expendable! A poor manager can cost money to the institution. What a manager does is CONSERVE RESOURCES.

Unfortunately, when nurses climb the "corporate ladder", they tend to move away from clinical nursing. Your opportunities are limited by your education. I am seeing more and more employers advertising for master's prepared nurses. This is because of JCAHO regulation and accredidation - which is tied into federal reinbursement. This is how most institutions survive - there is no way around it [now].

Look at your options, and your personal circumstances. What are your short and long term goals? A nursing education is expensive. Generally, most programs that I am familiar with mandate that the applicant be in the upper 1/3 of their class - or the equivilent. How much preparation do you need? How much do you want it? It is not easy, nurses are being forced to do more and more with less and less [excuse the cliche].

The burn-out rate for nurses is high, the disatisfaction rate for nurses is also high - but the rewards can also be great!

Good luck with your decision

------------------
Keeping the Faith

Jul 12, '99

Sakeena,

I graduated from a BSN program - but I do have some insight into the ADN program. I chose the BSN program because that I knew that down the road, it would be hard for me personally to get back to school once I was working and raising my family. I also knew that in my home state, that there were changes coming that would make the ADN obsolete. The ANA has been lobbying for years to make the BSN degree the standard for professional nursing. Diploma schools are/or have disappeared. I know for a fact that governmental agencies in my home state mandate a BSN - older nurses were grandfathered if they earned their RN prior to a certain year [I don't remember what year it was]. I do know this because my mother is a nurse, and she fell into this catagory - she also worked for the state and then the federal government. That is why I am familiar with the regulations.

There are differences in the level of responsibilities that are given to nurses at various educational levels.

BSN's are educated in science, theory and management. Despite popular belief, we can become excellent floor nurses! [smile] And my belief is that one should know and experience what they preach, because they may find themselves wearing both hats at once. [This is more common than before]

ADN's spend the greater amount of their education on the floor working. This is a great opportunity to "hone" your skills". From what I have gleened for the literature, ADN programs have a higher drop-out rate than that of the BSN program. Probebly, because 3-4 yrs are being crammed into two. Often, it takes a year or so of preparation in anatomy, math, and chemistry, just to get into the programs. We ALL take the same NCLEX-RN test.

Managers aren't born, and experience helps. If you have ever worked with someone who rose to the rank of "manager" without management skills, you know what havoc that can cause!

In a climate of cost-cutting, nurses are expendable! A poor manager can cost money to the institution. What a manager does is CONSERVE RESOURCES.

Unfortunately, when nurses climb the "corporate ladder", they tend to move away from clinical nursing. Your opportunities are limited by your education. I am seeing more and more employers advertising for master's prepared nurses. This is because of JCAHO regulation and accredidation - which is tied into federal reinbursement. This is how most institutions survive - there is no way around it [now].

Look at your options, and your personal circumstances. What are your short and long term goals? A nursing education is expensive. Generally, most programs that I am familiar with mandate that the applicant be in the upper 1/3 of their class - or the equivilent. How much preparation do you need? How much do you want it? It is not easy, nurses are being forced to do more and more with less and less [excuse the cliche].

The burn-out rate for nurses is high, the disatisfaction rate for nurses is also high - but the rewards can also be great!

Good luck with your decision

------------------
Keeping the Faith

Jul 15, '99

I'm a diploma nurse and proud of it. Unlike many of the nurses I have worked with over the past 20 years from both AD and BS programs, I was able to walk on to any unit and actually work with very little orientation or additional teaching! I was able to do this from the time of graduation. I have worked in several different hospitals and was always the "official preceptor" for any new nurse coming into the facility - in all cases (regardless of education) they spent at least 3 months with me (some took as long as 6 before being turned loose upon the patient population). During that time I saw lots of new nurses and was constantly amazed at how little they actually knew, regardless of the type of program they came from - I saw BSN's and AD's who could not take a temperature or give and enema or any of a number of things a 3 month diploma student would have already done 100's of times! In addition, most of them have terrible organizational skills because they have never had to take care of an entire ward themselves and can't care for more than 1-3 patients at a time! And with some of them, this did not improve with time!! I do everything any other nurse does and a lot more. I am one of the highest paid nurses in my hospital and even though I am only a "diploma grad" I am certified in infection control and am the Director of the IC department. I am a "regular" nurse and hospitals still like to hire diploma grads over AD's and BSN's because we are experienced and they don't need to invest a small fortune in us to see a return! And if "dooor opening" is all that is interesting some nurses, then I say they are in the wrong profession - they are here to care for patients and if they want to make big money, then perhaps they should get a degree in computers!